Yarrow Cheney
Yarrow Cheney (born 1973) is an American artist, film director, designer, author, illustrator, and animator. He is best known for his works as a production designer in Despicable Me 2 (2013), The Lorax (2012), and Despicable Me (2010) for which he received Primetime Emmy and Annie Awards nominations.
Yarrow Cheney | |
|---|---|
 Cheney in 2016 | |
| Born | 1973 (age 49–50) |
| Alma mater | California Institute of the Arts[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Artist, film director, designer, author, illustrator, animator |
| Years active | 1995-present |
| Spouse | Carrie Cheney[1] |
| Website | www |
In 2016, Cheney co-directed Illumination Entertainment's The Secret Life of Pets with Chris Renaud,[2] that received positive reviews and became the sixth highest grossing-film of 2016.[3] He directed The Grinch (2018), with Scott Mosier.[4]
His debut children's book Superworld: Save Noah, the first in a middle grade series written by his wife Carrie Cheney, was published on October 4, 2022. An animated film adaptation of the book series is in development by Paramount Animation and Temple Hill Entertainment.[5]
Early life
Cheney was born to Jack Cheney and Caryn Brady in 1973. He attended California Institute of the Arts from 1992-1995.
Filmography
Animation
- The Iron Giant (1999): CGI animator
- Quest for Camelot (1998): Animator
- Cats Don't Dance (1997): Animator
Director
- The Grinch (2018) also character designer
- The Secret Life of Pets (co-director) (2016)
- Puppy (2013): Short, also writer
- The Very First Noel (2006) (re-released in 2020 as The Three Wise Men[1]): Video Short, also editor, art director and producer
Production designer
- Despicable Me 2 (2013)
- The Lorax (2012)
- Despicable Me (2010)
- The Very First Noel (2006): Video short
- Curious George (2006)
- The ChubbChubbs! (2002): Short
Other
- Dilbert (1999): main title designer
- Mummies Alive! (1997): concept artist
- The Maxx (1995): TV Mini-Series, background layout artist, 7 episodes
Awards and nominations
- 2014: Outstanding Achievement in Production Design in an Animated Feature Production - Despicable Me 2 (nom) (shared with Eric Guillon)[6]
- 2013: Annie Award for Best Character Design in an Animated Feature Production -The Lorax (nom) (shared withEric Guillon and Colin Stimpson)[7]
- 2011: Annie Award for Best Production Design in an Animated Feature Production - Despicable Me (nom)[8]
- 1999: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design - Dilbert (shared with Carrie Cheney)[9]
References
- Shepherd, Josh (December 5, 2020). "Acclaimed Director of Animated The Grinch Revisits Story of Three Wise Men". The Stream. Archived from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved April 4, 2021.
- Debruge, Peter (June 16, 2016). "Film Review: 'The Secret Life of Pets'". Variety. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
- "The Secret Life of Pets (2016)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- "The Grinch". IMDB. Retrieved 2018-01-02.
- D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 21, 2023). "Paramount Animation Developing 'Superworld' Movie Based On Yarrow & Carrie Cheney Book Series". Deadline Hollywood.
- Patten, Dominic (February 1, 2014). "41st Annual Annie Awards Live Blog: 'Frozen' Wins Best Animated Feature". Deadline. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
- Tapley, Kristopher (December 3, 2012). "'Brave,' 'Guardians' and 'Wreck-It Ralph' lead 40th annual Annie Awards nominees". Hitfix. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
- Finke, Nikki (February 15, 2011). "38th Annual Annie Animation Awards: DWA's 'How To Train Your Dragon' Wins (After Disney Boycotts)". Deadline. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
- "Dilbert". The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 9 February 2014.